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REFORM GROUP PETITIONS NBC TO REJECT SUPER PAC $$: The summer Olympic Games have technically begun — lots of women’s soccer action today — and to mark the occasion, unPAC, an online group doing battle against the rise of super PACs, is calling on NBC Universal to reject $7.2 million in Restore Our Future ads. The pro-Mitt Romney super PAC reserved the time during the London Games earlier this month, and Romney is already there for the games and some fundraising. So far, the unPAC petition has garnered 15,000 signatures. NBC did not immediately respond to requests for comment. View the petition here: http://bit.ly/Qjj3TS

DURBIN LOSES FAITH IN POWER OF LAWMAKERS: Senate Majority Whip Dick Durbin (D-Ill.) declared Tuesday at a hearing on the Citizens Unitedv. Federal Election Commission decision that it’s likely beyond the power of Congress to reform campaign finance laws — and it would likely take a constitutional amendment to get the job done.

“With a Supreme Court that has not been shy about overturning precedent and disregarding congressional intent, passing [proposed] pieces of legislation may not be enough,” Durbin said. “After much deliberation, I have, with some hesitation, reached the conclusion that a constitutional amendment is necessary to clean up our campaign finance system once and for all. I’ve been reluctant to sponsor constitutional amendments. … I think you ought to be careful not to take a roller to a Rembrandt. And I’ve tried to wait for those moments in history when I thought it was necessary. I think this is one of those moments.”

Durbin wasn’t the only lawmaker to endorse the idea. Sens.Max Baucus (D-Mont.), Bernie Sanders (I-Vt.) and Tom Udall (D-N.M.) appeared on a panel during the hearing alongside Rep. Donna Edwards (D-Md.) to endorse a constitutional approach. History isn’t exactly on their side, however: the Constitution was last successfully amended 20 years ago.

BIG SKY NIGHT TO DRAW FUNDRAISERS? Capitol Counsel's Shannon Finley sent an email this morning with a save the date for "Big Sky Night” at the Democratic National Convention — an event she has helped put on for inaugurations and past conventions. The Montana party is slated for Sept. 4 from 9 p.m. to 1 a.m. at the Saloon at the NC Music Factory. Finley's email got at least one PI tipster thinking — instead of the usual email blast to a cadre of K-Streeters, it was made up almost entirely of party committee folks and Democratic fundraisers.

An electrified Wednesday to you, PI Nation, as we feel compelled to note that it was on this day 47 years ago that Bob Dylan, a Presidential Medal of Freedom winner this May, changed the face of rock ‘n’ roll forever by plugging in a Fender Stratocaster at the annual Newport Folk Festival and leaving his acoustic roots behind in a cloud of amplified riffs.

Thanks for readin’ our writin’, and now, back to the day’s top influence industry news …

CHERTOFF GROUP HIRES FOUR MORE: The security and risk management advisory firm The Chertoff Group, led by former Homeland Security secretary Michael Chertoff, has hired four senior advisers after announcing the hiring of a new D.C. office managing director earlier this week.

The new staffers are Joel Brenner, former national counterintelligence executive for the Office of the National Counterintelligence Executive; Bob Butler, former deputy assistant defense secretary for cyber policy; Bryan Cunningham, a former deputy legal adviser to Condoleezza Rice during her stint as White House national security adviser; and Paul Rosenzweig, a former deputy assistant homeland security secretary for policy.

BURSON-MARSTELLER SIGNS TWO: The public relations and communications firm Burson-Marsteller has appointed Mike Heimowitz managing director of its issues and crisis group and Chris Beard director. Heimowitz comes to the firm from PorterNovelli, where he was senior vice president, managing several crises for clients, including a product recall. Beard had been director of global reputation management, handling a range of crisis situations for S.C. Johnson.

** A message from the National Chamber Foundation: Canada has seen an economic transformation in the last 20 years. Take an in-depth look at Canada’s approach to advancing economic growth, international trade, energy, manufacturing, and other areas. Register now for the Tuesday, July 31 event: ncf.uschamber.com. **

NAM'S TIMMONS HITS THE ROAD: National Association of Manufacturers President and CEO Jay Timmons is doing a Midwest jaunt, heading to Milwaukee to meet with CEOs and top-level execs from companies like Rockwell Automation, Snap-on, Johnson Controls, Harley-Davidson, Eaton, as well as the Wisconsin Manufacturers and Commerce. His discussions will focus on the current state of the business environment and how Washington’s policies affect manufacturers’ competitiveness, according to a PI tipster.

Meanwhile, Rep. Michael Turner (R-Ohio) has also formed a leadership PAC, which he’s calling the ImPACt Committee. Diana Sue Vaughn is the treasurer.

Congressional members may use leadership PACs separate and apart from their campaign committees for purposes that include travel, touting ideologies and making donations to political brethren.

FOR YOUR CALENDAR: Still can’t make sense of the differences between independent expenditures, electioneering communications, coordinated communications and … well … the FEC wants to help, having just announced a forum from 9:30 a.m. to 11 a.m. Aug. 28 at its D.C. headquarters to answer any related question. The registration fee for in-person attendees is $25, $15 for online participants. Register here: http://bit.ly/LNx4Gp

Holland & Knight: Office of the Governor, Commonwealth of Massachusetts

Jeanne-Marie Murphy & Associates: Aequitas

Jeanne-Marie Murphy & Associates: Discover Financial

Prime Policy Group: Clark Construction Group

Prime Policy Group: NEC Corporation

The Ferguson Group: Vance County Tourism Development Authority

** A message from the National Chamber Foundation: Canada has made great strides in growing and revitalizing its economy — especially in the areas of international trade, energy, and manufacturing. Over the past two decades, its strategic planning has led to a reduction in government spending and strong movement toward a balanced budget. Join us on Tuesday, July 31 as we explore the innovative policies that have led to Canada’s economic transformation. Register now: ncf.uschamber.com. **

Readers' Comments (1)

unPAC....home pages shows links to 3 other left wing front groups....landing page ask's for $10 to get money out of politics....you have to hand it to the left....they are truly sick.....if politics does not work out...there's always used cars or mattress sales.

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Send to a friendReform group petitions NBC to reject super PAC money - Durbin loses faith in power of lawmakers - Big Sky Night to draw fundraisers? - Chertoff group hires four more - Burson-Marsteller signs two